Lenpw_III wins thread. Nothing to see here.

So did Hitler, so yeah, let's not mind that.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markadomanis/2014/01/13/vladimir-putins-approval-rating-has-been-holding-steady-for-almost-two-years/

65% to be exact.

"So did Hitler, so yeah, let's not mind that."

Godwin'd in 3 posts. I think that's a record.

Godwin's a nazi.

Whenever so-called 'democrats' want to expose their fraudulent support for 'democracy', then invoke Hitler.

Anyway, I did not argue that Putin is like Hitler, just that popular support is a poor argument so Godwin doesn't really apply here.

Popular support is not a poor argument when somebody is running around claiming that *the people* oppose something.

That's a red herring. Obi didn't claim that *the people* are opposing him. Just that thousands of them are by protesting in Moscow. No matter how popular he is amongst other people it's still a fact that those thousands are indeed opposing him.

"Whenever so-called 'democrats' want to expose their fraudulent support for 'democracy', then invoke Hitler."

Those so-called 'democrats' know that there's more to democracy than being popular. Putin hates the gays just as much as neo-con tea-party evangelicals in the US. Bad Putin. Oppressing gays is anti-democratic whether you are elected or not.

It's not a red herring. The OP said "listen to the people", not listen to thousands of people in a country of over 140 million.

And in any case, popular support is still not a poor argument.

The putschist mentality of liberal democrats is really evident here.

<smacks forehead> I'm agreeing with Putin...what the hell is going on?

it's pathetic when the "democracy" crowd screams "Majority rules" right up until they find themselves in the minority on an issue...then the whole system sucks.

You people are fucking morons.

http://nypost.com/2014/01/25/putins-a-better-president-than-obama-romney-says/

Even Romney thinks Putin is at least performing his duties well (if the standard is "as compared to Emporer Obama the Non-Constitutionalist)

Yeah, it then went on to specify which people. Are you saying those protesters ain't people?

The alternative, mind you, is "majority rules...until I think the majority sucks, and then I'll just force my views on your ass".

Generally we call that a fucking Dictator, and it's widely frowned upon.

But it's nice to see Libtards demonstrating their true authoritarian roots.

Last I checked Putin didn't help orchestrate capital punishment laws in Uganda for 'the gays'. And sometimes there are laws which you don't approve of that get passed. That's democracy. If you don't like it, then rally the votes to get it repealed. Always getting your way is not democracy.

Amen Putin. +1 Putin. <I feel woozy>

"Are you saying those protesters ain't people?"

They are some people. They are certainly not a majority, let alone can they be said to speak for the people of Russia.

Wow. I guess someone here really is a big fan of the butcher of Grozny. Kind of scary.

Wow. I guess someone here really is a big fan of Chechen terrorists who hold children hostage. Kind of scary.

@krellin
"Even Romney thinks Putin is at least performing his duties well"

"I'm not familiar precisely with what I said, but I'll stand by what I said, whatever it was." —Mitt Romney (May 17, 2012)

Yeah, let's listen to that moron... er... mormon.

@Putin

"They are some people. They are certainly not a majority, let alone can they be said to speak for the people of Russia."

I don't recall Obi saying they were a majority so it's still a red herring. Anyway, the gays were just one example of Putin's anti-democratic policies. How about jailing protesters? Explain to me how that's democratic. Is it your view of democracy that a popular leader can ignore basic human rights and jail whomever opposes him. Enlighten me. When did freedom of speech stop being a democratic right?

We already whenever over this. You're a smart person you know what 'the people' implies.

"How about jailing protesters?"

Every country jails protesters, especially if they become violent. Freedom of speech doesn't imply freedom to engage in violence and vandalism. I'm well aware of this, I've been a participant in many a demonstration.

Putin doesn't 'jail whoever opposes him'. You're just spouting propaganda now. There is a sitting opposition to Putin that criticizes him on a daily basis, not to mention an opposition media. Putin's party just got smacked in the last election, losing 77 seats.

It's clear you don't believe in democracy if the government disagrees with you.

"Every country jails protesters"

Nope they don't, certainly not on the scale that Russia does, and even if they do, that still doesn't make it right. So, it's obviously just your apologetic insanity for Putin's human rights violations that makes you say that

"especially if they become violent. Freedom of speech doesn't imply freedom to engage in violence and vandalism."

Yeah, those girls from Pussy Riot and those Green Peace activists, those are really violent people of the worst kind. Dream on.

"Putin doesn't 'jail whoever opposes him'"

I didn't say he did. Another red herring. You're on a roll. Instead I asked if it is your view that a popular leader CAN jail whomever opposes him. Just because he can doesn't mean he does with everyone. He does jail plenty of them though and apparently you are okay with that. You fall right in line with Russian government propaganda when you demonize peaceful protesters as violent people and vandals while in fact the Russian police started the violence against peaceful protesters in many cases.

shut up obi

and before you start whining at me "Santa is always picking on me wahhhhh..." sure, Putin's record of stifling dissent is troubling, but your decision to focus your ire on his literary taste, cultural attitudes etc. again reveals you as a buffoon.

@Putin33

Look at all those "violent" protesters being arrested. Those freaking vandals had it coming. Amirite?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSa1LBhTJwQ

vandals and amirites are two completely different ancient peoples...

@Putin33

Just a few quotes from Human Rights Watch's 2013 World Report for you. Maybe it will enlighten you.

"In the lead-up to Putin’s inauguration, authorities in some cities repeatedly tried to intimidate political and civic activists, and interfered with news outlets critical of the government through arbitrary lawsuits and detentions, threats by state officials, beatings, and other forms of harassment. State-controlled media ran articles seeking to discredit the protest movement and government critics. Police also threatened several activists’ families."

"In June 2012, according to the independent print outlet Novaya Gazeta,
the head of Russia’s Investigation Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, abducted Sergei Sokolov, deputy chief editor of the newspaper, took him to a forest in the outskirts of Moscow and threatened his life. Bastrykin was not dismissed."

"In April, two men attacked Elena Milashina, a Novaya Gazeta journalist,
inflicting multiple bruises and kicking out a tooth. Investigators termed the attack a common mugging and arrested and charged two people who Milashina said did not resemble the attackers."


Ain't democracy great when your life is threatened for speaking up? They don't write that kind of stuff about Sweden now do they, mister every country jails protesters?

You're a smart guy, Putin, I'll give you that, but as a democrat you are really a joke.

That's because he's literally a Stalinist.

Just so you know, when you use Hitler as a reference point for a political persona, that's the definition of Godwin applying. There are no exceptions.